French Farm Lake Dam

French Farm Creek· Emmet, Michigan· Built 1949· Earth· 8 ft tall
Low Hazard Recreation State Government

Key Takeaway

French Farm Lake Dam is classified as low hazard in Michigan. It was completed in 1949 and is 77 years old. Its primary use is recreation.

Physical Details

Dam Height 8 ft (taller than 7.3% in MI)
Dam Length200 ft
Dam TypeEarth
Max Storage2.7K acre-ft
Normal Storage1.3K acre-ft
Surface Area800 acres
Drainage Area10 sq mi
Year Completed1949 (77 years old)
NID IDMI00494

Safety Information

Low Hazard

No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected.

Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?

Emergency Action Plan: No
Last Inspection: October 19, 2016
State Regulated: Yes
Regulatory Agency: MICHIGAN DEGLE

Ownership

MDNR Wildlife

State Government

Nearby Dams

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hazard classification of French Farm Lake Dam?

French Farm Lake Dam is classified as Low Hazard. No probable loss of human life and low economic/environmental losses expected. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.

Who owns and operates French Farm Lake Dam?

French Farm Lake Dam is owned by MDNR Wildlife (State Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.

When was French Farm Lake Dam built?

French Farm Lake Dam was completed in 1949, making it 77 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.

What is the primary purpose of French Farm Lake Dam?

French Farm Lake Dam serves the following purposes: Recreation. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.

How tall is French Farm Lake Dam?

French Farm Lake Dam has a dam height of 8 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.

When was French Farm Lake Dam last inspected?

French Farm Lake Dam was last inspected on October 19, 2016. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.

Data from the National Inventory of Dams (NID) maintained by the US Army Corps of Engineers. Dam conditions may have changed since the last update. This site is not affiliated with USACE. Do not use for emergency planning — contact your local dam safety program.